How to Switch to Estrogen-Free Birth Control Pills
Interested in making the switch to estrogen-free birth control? Here’s what you need to know.
Jul 26, 2023
Sep 12, 2023
Your HealthChaunie Brusie is a mom of five, a native Michigander and a registered nurse turned writer and editor. She specializes in health and medical writing. Her work has appeared everywhere from The New York Times to Glamour to Parents magazine.
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Interested in making the switch to estrogen-free birth control? Here’s what you need to know.
Combination birth control options mix estrogen and progestin to stop pregnancy and control period symptoms. But estrogen causes most of the side effects of birth control pills, so some people may want an estrogen-free pill.
To start an estrogen-free birth control pill, you will want to talk to your healthcare provider (HCP) about the best time to start.
There are 3 primary ways to make the switch:
Most estrogen-free birth control pills have to be taken at the same exact time — down to the hour — every single day to work best.
One pill (called Slynd) has a 24-hour window if you miss the dose. That means you can take your missed pill for up to 24 hours. Translation? You can worry less if you forget to take your pill.
The Why Behind the Window
It’s always best to take your birth control pill at the same time every day if possible.
Talk to your HCP about your options for estrogen-free contraception and how to start taking it.
This resource was created with funding support from Exeltis, USA.